Traffic police nod for stormwater drain work on 34 bus route roads

The traffic police have permitted Chennai Corporation to undertake work to construct stormwater drain on 34 bus route roads in the city.

Reviewing the stormwater drain work on Thursday, Mayor M.Subramanian said that work on the 34 roads was scheduled for completion by September, well ahead of the onset of north east monsoon.

The civic body had sought permission last week for completing the SWD work on 211 bus route roads, but the police have given permission for the work on only 34 roads to facilitate better traffic management.

Mr.Subramanian said that the Corporation had ordered re-tender on a package pertaining to construction of SWD in Captain Cotton watershed. The contractor has been unable to carry out the work properly, he added.

Of 1,203 SWD works in 12 watersheds across the city, a total of 158 works in a length of 67 km have been completed so far.

The Chennai Corporation would complete at least one-third of the total of 553 km SWD, to be constructed the under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission, by September-end, Mr.Subramanian said.

Contractors who participated in the review meeting said that shifting of utility services was a problem. The Chennai Corporation and the Public Works Department are implementing the Rs.1,448-crore scheme for flood prevention. Deputy Commissioner (Works) of the Corporation R. Anandakumar participated in the meeting.